2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Overview Change Vehicle

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe overview with specifications, fuel economy data, safety information, reliability ratings, a photo gallery, and The Vehix View.

A full-size, three-row SUV based on Chevy’s Silverado pickup truck platform, the 2012 Tahoe is made for towing and carrying large, heavy loads. It competes against the Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.

For 2012, the Tahoe’s StabiliTrak stability control system includes Trailer Sway Control technology and Hill Start Assist. Heated front seats are now standard on the Tahoe LT, while the Tahoe LTZ gets a heated steering wheel and a side blind zone alert system. The Tahoe’s optional navigation radio system is upgraded with a hard disc drive and includes a CD player, a USB port, time-shift recording capability, and real-time traffic and weather reporting. New colors for 2012 include Crystal Red Tintcoat, Silver Ice, and Blue Topaz.

There are three versions of the Chevy Tahoe for sale, each available with rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel-drive system with a single- or two-speed Autotrac active transfer case.

The Tahoe LS has premium cloth seats, six-way power front seats, triple-zone manual air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio input jack, a USB port, and satellite radio. As expected, the Tahoe LS has power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows with driver’s side express-down functionality, and heated power side mirrors. Cruise control, a tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and carpeted floor mats are also standard, as well as illuminated visor vanity mirrors and OnStar telematics with free Automatic Crash Notification, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, and Turn-by-Turn Navigation service for the first three months of ownership. Dark tinted rear privacy glass, a luggage rack, basic trailering equipment, and automatic headlights are included, and the Tahoe LS rolls down the highway on 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Optional upgrades for the LS model include a Convenience Package (power adjustable pedals, remote engine starting, rear park assist sensors, a rearview camera), a choice between All-Star or Texas Edition Packages depending on your geography (20-inch polished aluminum wheels, fog lights, chrome exterior trim, heavy-duty trailering equipment, auto-dimming rearview and driver’s side mirror glass, power folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators), and a Heavy Duty Trailering Package (engine and transmission coolers, locking rear differential, 3.42 rear axle ratio).The Tahoe LS can also be equipped with a split bench front seat, a trailer brake controller, and for 4WD models equipped with the HD Trailering Package, an Autotrac active transfer case.

Next on the model roster is the Tahoe LT, which has leather, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and an upgraded Bose sound system. Power adjustable pedals and memory for the driver’s settings are also installed on the LT, along with remote engine starting, fog lights, and rear park assist sensors.

A Luxury Package adds even more to the Tahoe LT in the form of 10-way power front seats, heated second-row seats, a power second-row seat release, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated outside mirrors, a power liftgate, and a HomeLink universal remote control. A Sun, Entertainment and Destinations Package provides a power sunroof, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a hard drive navigation radio, a rearview camera system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and extended real-time traffic and weather service. People planning to go off-roading will want the Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package for its satin chrome assist rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, off-road tires, wheel flares, high-capacity air cleaner, skid plates, off-road suspension, and unique front styling. Reclining second-row bucket seats are also available, as well as most of the options that can be installed on the Tahoe LS.

The Tahoe LTZ is the top-of-the-line model, equipped with everything above plus a handful of exclusive features like a premium Bose Centerpoint surround sound system, 12-way power front seats with heating and cooling, perforated leather upholstery, heated second-row bucket seats, a heated steering wheel, a Side Blind Zone Alert system, and an Autoride automatic damping suspension system. The LTZ 4WD also has a standard Autotrac active transfer case.

Options for the Tahoe LTZ include a Sun, Entertainment and Destinations Package (power sunroof, extended traffic and weather report subscription, and rear seat DVD entertainment), a second-row bench seat, power retractable side assist steps, and chrome 20-inch wheels.

In addition to these optional features, Chevrolet dealers offers a variety of accessories that can be installed at the point of sale.

Chevrolet offers just one engine in the 2012 Tahoe, a 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management technology that makes 320 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 335 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the rear or to all four wheels, and this V8 is E85-compatible.

Active Fuel Management allows the Tahoe’s V8 to operate on four cylinders under low load conditions, such as when coasting to a stop. Thanks to AFM, the Tahoe is rated to get 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway with two- or four-wheel drive.

Every 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is equipped with six airbags with rollover sensing for the side curtains, a StabiliTrak stability and traction control system with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes. OnStar telematics with Automatic Crash Notification and free six-month subscription to service is also standard. Automatic Crash Notification engages if the Tahoe’s airbags deploy, allowing an operator to contact the SUV’s occupants to ensure that everyone is OK. Even if nobody can respond, the operator can send rescue personnel directly to the Tahoe’s location to speed assistance.

In addition to these standard safety features, the Tahoe is available with an Ultrasonic rear parking assist system and a rearview camera system. A Side Blind Zone Alert system is standard on the Tahoe LTZ.

In the event a collision occurs, know that in crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Tahoe receives an overall rating of 4 Stars, mainly due to 3-Star rollover resistance ratings. In frontal- and side-impact tests, the Tahoe gets 5 Stars. So don’t flip it. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not crash-tested the Chevy Tahoe.

Dependability ratings are average. Consumer Reports says so, and J.D. Power and Associates believes the Tahoe will provide slightly better than average reliability over time.

The Tahoe’s third-row legroom measures 25.6 inches, and there’s barely room for toes under the second-row seat. Translated, that means “ouch” for people unfortunate enough to ride back there. Plus, the Tahoe offers just 16.9 cubic-feet of cargo space – most of it vertical – behind the third-row seat. Clearly, this SUV works much better as a five-passenger vehicle. Use the 50/50-split removable third-row seats as lawn furniture.

Yank those seats out and the Tahoe provides a whopping 60.3 cu-ft of space behind the second-row seat. Fold the second-row seat down and you’ve got 108.9 cu-ft at your disposal.

If you need storage for small items, Chevrolet claims the Tahoe’s center console storage bin is the largest one in the full-size SUV segment.

If you need to tow and haul, the Tahoe can handle a trailer weighing up to 8,500 pounds. The base payload rating is 1,652 lbs. for the 2WD model and 1,733 lbs. for the 4WD model. Speaking of weight, the lightest Tahoe weighs 5,448 pounds, which is distributed 52 percent over the front wheels and 48 percent over the rear wheels.

If you have any four-wheeling planned, or you just need to navigate deep snow, know that the Tahoe’s minimum ground clearance is nine inches.

The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is built in Arlington, Texas.

Remember when gas was cheap and everyone could afford a big, expensive SUV thanks to healthy home equity gains? The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is a relic from such heady days, a big giant station wagon built on a heavy truck platform. People who need to tow or carry lots of weight are served well by a Tahoe. Other people really ought to consider a Chevy Traverse instead.

By Christian Wardlaw